Wal-Mart to match donations to Ellsworth pantry

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People who attend a special supper to benefit the Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry of Ellsworth can double the amount of money the organization makes from its fund-raiser thanks to the strong support of the event’s sponsor.

Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry volunteer Bill Robertson of Franklin learned this week that Wal-Mart of Ellsworth “is going to match dollar for dollar what we take in at the door.”

The supper is from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 23, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, which is located on the corner of Main and High streets in Ellsworth.

The supper “is open to the public and we would hope for good weather and a great turnout,” Robertson wrote.

The menu includes spaghetti with meat sauce, garlic bread, salad, dessert and beverage. The cost is $5 for adults and $3 for children age 10 or under.

Of course, anyone who wants to donate more than the admission price will help make the benefit even more successful for Loaves and Fishes.

Robertson said the organization, which “serves a lot of the local, area towns, and is open three days a week,” recently moved into a “beautiful new building” that was the result of many wonderful volunteer efforts and the support of some very generous individuals and organizations.

“We were in an old building that was falling apart,” Robertson said, “and the Unitarian church in Ellsworth leased us land for $1 a year for 20 years.”

A local builder, “who is a big supporter of the food pantry,” Robertson wrote, sought help from other businesspeople in the area by securing windows and materials for the new building, and much of the work was done with volunteer labor.

“It cost us very little thanks to all the charitable things people did,” Robertson said.

However, he added, even though Loaves and Fishes now has a sound building, “we still have to buy the food that we distribute,” he said.

That is why fund-raisers such as this mean so much, especially when the sponsor agrees to match dollar for dollar what is raised.

So, if you’re thinking of taking the family out to supper Saturday night – maybe on the way home from an Eastern Maine Basketball Tournament game – plan to stop in Ellsworth, enjoy a great meal and help provide food for your more needy neighbors.

Many of us have fond memories of being camp counselors during the summer months, and now that opportunity is available to young people through The Salvation Army.

If you are 18 years of age or older and want to spend the summer on the shore of Sebago Lake working at Camp Sebago, you are invited to call Jon Klemanski at 774-6304.

Camping or child development experience is required, and competitive salaries are offered in addition to all meals and lodging as well as breaks between camp sessions.

The Salvation Army Northern New England Division serves needy residents in Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont.

Fans of the University of Maine men’s ice hockey team have three opportunities to meet some of their favorite players.

A UMaine men’s hockey Meet the Team Dinner has three seatings, at 4:30, 6 and 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 24, in the banquet room of the Oriental Jade Restaurant on Bangor Mall Boulevard.

The buffet price is $11 for adults and $6 for children under age 12.

Because seating is limited, reservations are required.

To make those reservations, or learn more about the sponsoring Friends of Maine Hockey, call Gayle Killam at 942-6552 or 990-6930, or Vicki Williams at 478-4660 or 394-2066.

The net proceeds from this event benefit the UMaine men’s hockey program.

Reservations are required by Monday, Feb. 25, for those who want to attend the Sugarloaf Chowderfeed to benefit Hospice of Eastern Maine.

Sponsored by Affiliated Healthcare Systems, the event is from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturday, March 2, in the Sugarloaf Inn Cranberry Room at Sugarloaf/USA in Carrabassett Valley.

The meal includes lobster bisque, corn chowder and cheese, fruit and cracker trays, and costs $20 for adults, which includes a $10 donation to HOEM, and $5 for children under age 12.

Net proceeds benefit the programs and services of HOEM.

Call 973-8269 to make reservations.

Nomination forms are available for the 2002 2 Those Who Care awards presented by United Way of Eastern Maine and WLBZ 2.

Nominees are dedicated and caring individuals who demonstrate that service to community makes a difference in the lives of those served, and improves the community’s environment, culture, government, health or education.

Four individual award winners will be chosen. An outstanding United Way agency volunteer will be honored with the John W. Coombs Award and an outstanding nonprofit agency will be honored with the Agency of Distinction Award.

The six recipients will be feted at a gala awards presentation sponsored by Merrill Bank on Wednesday, April 24, at the Bangor Civic Center.

The 2 Those Who Care award recipients and the Coombs Award recipient receive both an award and a cash contribution donated to the nonprofit organization of their choice.

The Agency of Distinction honoree receives an award plus a cash contribution.

Nomination forms are available by calling UWEM, 941-2800; visiting www.unitedwayem.org; at Merrill Bank and WLBZ 2.

Nomination forms must be received no later than 5 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 28.

Joni Averill, Bangor Daily News, P.O. Box 1329, Bangor 04402; 990-8288.